John Jefferson
Inset: Courtney Perrone (Santa Monica Police Department). Alley where she tried to kidnap an 8-year-old girl, police say (CBS News).
California authorities claim that a woman tried to kidnap an 8-year-old while professing to be “Russian police,” and then she pulled out a switchblade on a man who saved the child.
Courtney Perrone, 39, is charged with attempting kidnapping of a victim under a 14 years old, false imprisonment by violence, and assault with a deadly weapon.
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According to Santa Monica cops and Los Angeles prosecutors, the 8-year-old victim was in an alley helping an adult neighbor put his dogs into his vehicle.
“The suspect approached saying she was Russian police and that she was taking the child,” cops wrote. “Perrone knelt and put her arms around the child and a tug of war between the neighbor and Perrone ensues. The neighbor put the child in the front seat of his vehicle and told Perrone to leave. She ignored him and attempted to open the door of the car. When the neighbor confronted her again, Perrone produced a switchblade knife.”
Perrone allegedly fled on foot to the parking lot of a Gelson’s supermarket, where she had parked the white BMW that she had been living in. Cops arrested her, and she is being held on a $135,000 bond. Perrone faces a maximum of 6-and-a-half years in prison. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Friday, and her defense voiced doubt about her competency to face charges. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.
This is not the first of her legal troubles. Police said that her criminal history includes currently facing New Hampshire warrants for forgery and intimidation (stalking). She is on probation out of Nevada for a 2024 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. Cops also noted arrests out of state for assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and trespassing.
“The trauma and fear that this innocent child has experienced are unimaginable, and we want to assure her, her family, the second victim, and our community, that we will pursue justice with the full force of the law,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “The attempted kidnapping of any child is a heinous crime. We will work to ensure that justice is served, and that this brave young girl may begin the healing process. Our Bureau of Victim Services stands ready to assist the victims and their families with trauma-informed services in their time of need.”
From cops:
Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective Jauregui at [email protected], Sgt. Haro at [email protected], or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
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